Mass layoff: Aviation cargo company loses contract and lays off over 400 people in Florida

Photo byEthan SykesonUnsplash

Menzies Aviation has announced it will eliminate 409 jobs at Miami International Airport in the coming months. This decision comes as the company will cease providing cargo handling services to Avianca Airlines effective September 16, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining NotificationWorker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filed on July 17.

The layoffs include:

• 287 cargo handlers
• 49 cargo agents
• 30 supervisors
• 20 warehouse assistants
• 23 Other managerial positions

The WARN notice, signed by Margarita Pichardo, director of Human Resources for Menzies' southeast region, states that the reductions are expected to be permanent. Employees affected by the layoffs are advised to contact the Florida Division of Economic Development for information on worker assistance and unemployment benefits.

Miami International Airport (MIA) is a key hub for international cargo, handling 76 percent of air imports and exports from Latin America and the Caribbean. Despite this, the loss of Avianca Airlines' cargo handling contract has led to these substantial job cuts.